Ukraine four years on: those experiencing homelessness must not be forgotten

When the full-scale invasion of Ukraine began four years ago today, Hennadii’s life changed forever.

He was working in a warehouse supplying schools, but schools pivoted to online-only learning when the war broke out. Demand for the warehouse’s supplies dropped. Hennadii lost his job, and, without a stable income, his home.

The years that followed saw Hennadii work in a series of unstable temporary jobs, finding hostel accommodation where he could. But, when the work dried up, Hennadii had no money for accommodation, and he had no choice but to sleep on the street.

Stories like Hennadii’s are repeated time and again as the war continues to drive homelessness in Ukraine. Since the start of the full-scale invasion, the number of people accessing Depaul Ukraine’s rough sleeping shelters has tripled, and Depaul Ukraine research found that almost a quarter (22%) of those sleeping rough had been displaced by the conflict.

It’s something Depaul Ukraine’s teams are seeing first-hand. Those supported by Depaul Ukraine include families whose homes and belongings have been completely destroyed by shelling, and ex-combatants who are experiencing deep levels of trauma but have nowhere to live.

If Ukrainian housing and social policy, and humanitarian response plans, do not address and further anticipate these needs, then Ukraine will face rising and ever more costly levels of homelessness. This is why Depaul Ukraine is leading the way in implementing programmes to effectively prevent and tackle homelessness.

As humanitarian actors know well, trauma and mental health needs are severely intensified by conflict. Unprocessed trauma places people at greater risk of becoming homeless, due to heightened likelihood of family breakdown and reduced functioning.

Estimates suggest that 10% of Ukraine’s population will be veterans by the time the war ends. Depaul has pre-empted the need for psychosocial support, running targeted mental health support sessions for discharged veterans and their families in Kharkiv.

Elsewhere, the team is ensuring that those experiencing homelessness can access accommodation. Evidence from around the world shows that housing programmes are the most effective way to end homelessness, which is why Depaul Ukraine is piloting supported accommodation projects in major cities.

In Kyiv, those sleeping rough can access supported housing – the first programme of its kind in Ukraine – and receive support from a social worker which is tailored to their needs.
For Hennadii, one of the first residents in the project, the impact of having a home has been profound.

Nine months since moving in, Hennadii has been able to secure a stable job and has rebuilt his relationship with his daughter. Crucial to achieving this has been the sense of dignity and ownership he now feels over his own life – due to ‘life… [being] easier when you have your own corner.’

The Kyiv project will enable Depaul Ukraine to build an evidence base to show the effectiveness of housing-led solutions to homelessness in Ukraine. This evidence will be vital to ensuring that those experiencing homelessness aren’t forgotten as the country looks to rebuild post-war.

Already, Depaul Ukraine are playing a pivotal role in guaranteeing provision for those experiencing homelessness within new social housing policies. By advising the parliamentary committee overseeing housing reform, Depaul Ukraine secured an explicit commitment to ending homelessness in the framework housing law released last month.

This commitment provides an opportunity for there to be positive impacts for those at risk of, and experiencing homelessness in Ukraine.

Today, it’s uncertain how long the war will continue, and those in Ukraine will continue to be impacted by the trauma of living through the conflict.

However, one thing is clear. Depaul Ukraine will remain committed to ensuring that those experiencing homelessness are not forgotten. By investing in programmes to prevent and address homelessness, this will ensure that Hennadii and others across the country will be able to access the dignity of a place to call home.